iPad Pro M5 Review: Closer Than Ever to the Future Mac
Key takeaways
- Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance.
- I had a feeling of cynicism when Apple announced the iPad Pro with an M5 chip.
- And yet, living with the 13-inch iPad Pro with iPadOS 26 for this review, something different is happening.
When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance. Read more on: How we test i Pad Pro (M5, 2025) $999 at Apple $849 at Amazon Pros Same price as last year More powerful M5 processor Still-great OLED display i Pad OS 26 unleashes multitasking Cons Expensive with accessories Lacks some pro tools found on Macs OS browsers still feel weird to me Table of Contents iPad Pro M5 Review: Closer Than Ever to the Future Mac Same design outside, new chip(s) inside iPadOS opens the door (er, window) Great display, fast charging, speedy M5 I still say you don't need the Pro 2025 2026 iPad Pro (M5, 2025) Brightest Screen Read more about how we test Buy Now Editor's note, April 29: This review was updated with information about the CNET Labs Award for Brightest Screen. The M5 iPad Pro was also awarded a CNET Editors' Choice award on Nov. 24, 2025, for being the very best product in Apple's iPad lineup. While its price can run very high, anyone who isn't budget-concerned and wants the best display and performance on an iPad will find an excellent experience here. It's not the same as a Mac, but with a keyboard case and iPadOS 26, it's becoming extremely versatile.
I had a feeling of cynicism when Apple announced the iPad Pro with an M5 chip. Here we go again with the same iPad, just faster. I've felt this way for years about the Pro iPads. They're fast, fancy and definitely not necessary.
And yet, living with the 13-inch iPad Pro with iPadOS 26 for this review, something different is happening. I'm connected to my office apps and using it like my work laptop with a Magic Keyboard. Is the iPad finally ready to replace my Mac and serve as my main computer?